As the fall sports programs start to head off to state, it’s now time for the winter sports program to begin.

Hockey

The coaches for the hockey club are Mr. Franco Olivier and Mr. Delaney O’Rourke. The team plays in the Mid American High School Hockey League (MAHSHL), which includes teams from Arkansas, Springfield, Wichita, Shawnee, Independence and Line Creek.

“We have the best ability this year to go undefeated, we need to protect each other on the ice and go as hard as we can,” senior varsity defenseman, Ian Jones, said.

Wrestling

The wrestling team has two returning undefeated state champions in senior twins Colin and Cameron Valdiviez. Cameron has already committed to the Air Force Academy, and Colin is looking to wrestle at either Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina or Virginia. This year, the two have many goals that they would like to achieve.

“I would like to set myself apart from the competition and win most of my matches by major decisions,” Colin Valdiviez said.

“I hope to be an undefeated state champion for the second year in a row, have our team in the top ten at state and top three at the district competition,” Cameron Valdiviez said.

The first wrestling match will be December 1 at Blue Springs.

Basketball

Head Coach Mr. Pete Campbell looks to have a very different lineup from last year, since he lost six seniors.

Seniors Carter Selzer, Scotty Thompson and Chris Teahan are all returning. Additionally, he will have junior Xavier Rhodes and some talented sophomores.

Coach Campbell looks to bring home a district and state championship. He is trying to build off of the experience from the returning varsity guys he had last year.

“Leadership, effort and attitude are probably the three most important characteristics that I am looking for in my players,” Coach Campbell said.

Coach Campbell feels very comfortable with the team that he has this year and wants to bring home a state title.

Basketball has the Blue and White Scrimmage on November 22 and their first game on November 29 against Lee’s Summit North.